Let’s Go Tar Heels!

Coach Roy Williams Wins His 800th Game

On Monday, January 16, Roy Williams won his 800th career game when the Tar Heels beat Syracuse 85-68. He and UNC fans celebrated afterward as a video montage played with messages from former players.

Williams was touched, but kept his focus in the moment and proudly proclaimed he was most proud of the current Tar Heels who won their 17th game and remain unbeaten on their home court.

This milestone victory also placed them 2nd in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 17-3 record.

“I’m glad we were able to get that win for him tonight,” player Joel Berry said. “He’s a special man, he’s a great guy—I love him a lot. I’m honored to be a part of all this because he’s a hall of fame coach. I wouldn’t want anyone else to be college coach.”

Williams, in his 29th season, became just the ninth Division I coach to reach the milestone as the No. 9 Tar Heels compete for the top spot in the ACC standings. Williams’ teams have chased national titles consistently in his tenure and will surely do more as he hopes to coach at least five more seasons. If that’s the case, he could be chasing win No. 1,000, too.

Notably, only one other coach in the 800 Club got there faster than Williams (66 years old). Former Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp, who coached 41 years from 1930-1972, got his 800th win on his 972nd game. Williams took 1,012 games.

Williams has won 79.1% of his 1,012 games as UNC’s head coach, a percentage topped only by one active coach: Gonzaga’s Mark Few, who has won 81.3% of his games with the Bulldogs. Few only has 483 wins in his career, however. Williams has 2 national championships under his belt, one in 2005 and another in 2009.

With plenty of time left in the season, we’re excited to see just how many wins Williams and the Tar Heels can pull off this season. What’s your prediction? And will you be back on campus for a game? Let us know in the comment below!

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